Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2003 | 8:12 a.m.
An intriguing look ahead at our fall social season was provided at last week's planning luncheon at Nordstrom. In anticipation of its first anniversary at Fashion Show mall, the celebrated store is planning a charitable gala.
Opportunity Village has been chosen as benefit recipient for "Viva la Moda," a night-in-Havana themed party scheduled for Oct. 25. Limited to 400 guests, the party promises more than a few surprises, a delightful menu and entertainment.
The planning luncheon, hosted by Nordstrom in its third-floor conference room, was made pleasant by the warm welcome given to attendees by general manager Alan Morrell and fellow executives Michele Mitchell and Carrie Myklebust.
Kathleen Newton has accepted the position as honorary chairwoman for the event, and Catherine Luce and JoAnn Sturm will co-chair the glittering evening. Working with both store officials and the committee will be Linda Smith, development director of Opportunity Village.
Attending committee members included Cathy Byers, Peggy Polvino-Brown, Lee Medick, Esther Dotts, Dee Covington, Lynne Foster, Zoe Brown and Donna Ruthe. Also present were Michelle Morrison, Selena Gould, Karen Godfrey, Dorothy Digianno, Andra Goeglein and Kimberly Gora. Adding a festive touch to the working session was the catered lunch, prepared by Chef Gustav Mauler, who prepared a selection of Cuban favorites for the gathering.
Golfing for charity
Hot weather didn't slow the action at JW Marriott on Aug. 18 as the Las Vegas Founders held their draw party for the 2003 Shoot-Out, a golf tournament to benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
Guests met and mingled poolside while discussing golf and enjoying the Spazmatics, a cool 1980s pop dance band.
Jack Sheehan, acting as master of ceremonies, announced the pairings for the 2003 Shoot-Out, held later at Southern Highlands Golf Club. Included in the light-hearted program were the presentation of checks from the Las Vegas Founders Golf Foundation benefiting charities including Las Vegas Philharmonic, Legacy Little League, Classrooms on Wheels, Opportunity Village, Boys Hope-Girls Hope of Nevada, Las Vegas Inner-City Games, Boys & Girls Clubs of Las Vegas and the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation.
In the mix of players and supporters were former UNLV players Jeremy Anderson and Eddie Fryatt, Las Vegas Founders board of trustees members Kenny Sullivan III, Tim Cashman and Bob McCart and tournament director Charlie Baron. Present as well were Founders members Chris Byrd, James Duddlesten and Dave Kirvin, seen with current tournament chairman Gary Frey.
Others at the gathering included Jeff Ortwein, Leslie Pittman and John Sullivan along with Julie Murray of the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation, Andy Bischel of the Rebel Golf Foundation, Louise Helton, founder of Classrooms on Wheels and Penny Eardley from Boys Hope-Girls Hope of Nevada.
CAST support
The CAST Inc., an organization founded by entertainers for entertainers, lived up to its mission statement of helping support future entertainers by gifting the College of Fine Arts at UNLV with $5,000.
CAST was equally generous to Community College of Southern Nevada and the Clark County School District, giving $5,000 to each.
Jeffrey Koep, dean of UNLV's College of Fine Arts, in accepting the funding, said, "it means so much because it is a contribution from an organization composed of persons who have dedicated their lives to not only entertainment, but to assisting those aspiring to careers in entertainment and the arts."
His sentiments were echoed by fellow recipients Don Smith, dean of Arts and Letters/Performing Arts at CCSN, and Carlos Garcia, superintendent of the Clark County School District.
The CAST luncheon in the Greek Isles' showroom on Aug. 11 was well-attended, with a galaxy of familiar faces from Strip entertainment venues accompanied by colleagues, producers, agents and family. Cork Proctor with wife Carolyn Hamilton, CAST founding members Buddy Greco and wife Lezlie Anders, Peter Anthony, Esther Lynn with Laurie Buckley, Diana Wilson, Francis MacDonald, Pete Barbutti and Bernie Allen, who was celebrating his 83rd birthday, were just a few glimpsed in the crowd.
Princess Brown told charming stories of her life as a "Copa girl" at the Sands in the 1960s, and was seen with Nancy Lamb, Debbie Ford, Steve Cutler, Pat Cooper and Frankie Randall, organization president. The CAST Inc. meets regularly, supports charitable and educational endeavors, and has plans under way for a fall "Cavalcade of Stars," chaired by Freddie Bell. Membership and meeting information is available by calling 366-7730.
High honors
Now in its seventh year, the Education Hero Award Dinner, presented by the Clark County Public Education Foundation, is a celebration of Southern Nevada's public schools.
Recognized at the dinner on Sept. 20 will be Mandalay Resort Group Senior Vice President Tony Alamo, who came to our city from his native Cuba in 1974 and truly found the American dream for himself and his family.
Additionally, a Lifetime Education Achievement Award will be presented to Ann Lynch, a tireless worker on behalf of children and countless other worthy endeavors.
Sig Rogich is chairman with a select committee including Allan and Carol Stipe, Bob and Sandy Miller, Mike and Sharon Ensign, Ashley and Lorna Hall and Jim and Beverly Rogers, to name just a few.
Dinner and an excellent program at Four Seasons are planned, with reservations a must (799-1042). Funds generated from the dinner contribute to the Foundation's ongoing classroom grants program, helping teachers and other personnel bridge the gap between school funding and student needs.
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